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Background: To optimize results reporting after penile cancer (PC) surgery, we proposed a Tetrafecta and assessed its ability to predict overall survival (OS) probabilities. Methods: A purpose-built multicenter, multi-national database was queried for stage I–IIIB PC, requiring inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILND), from 2015 onwards. Kaplan–Meier (KM) method assessed differences in OS between patients achieving Tetrafecta or not. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses identified its predictors. Results: A total of 154 patients were included in the analysis. The 45 patients (29%) that achieved the Tetrafecta were younger (59 vs. 62 years; p = 0.01) and presented with fewer comorbidities (ASA score ≥ 3: 0% vs. 24%; p < 0.001). Although indicated, ILND was omitted in 8 cases (5%), while in 16, a modified template was properly used. Although median LNs yield was 17 (IQR: 11–27), 35% of the patients had <7 nodes retrieved from the groin. At Kaplan–Maier analysis, the Tetrafecta cohort displayed significantly higher OS probabilities (Log Rank = 0.01). Uni- and multivariable logistic regression analyses identified age as the only independent predictor of Tetrafecta achievement (OR: 0.97; 95%CI: 0.94–0.99; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Our Tetrafecta is the first combined outcome to comprehensively report results after PC surgery. It is widely applicable, based on standardized and reproducible variables and it predicts all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Suturing the kidney after tumor excision can be omitted most of the time, without increasing the risks of complications or jeopardizing renal function. To compare outcomes of sutureless (SL) vs. renorrhaphy (RR) off-clamp robotic partial nephrectomy (ocRPN), we retrospectively analyzed procedures performed at our center, from January 2017 to April 2021, for cT1-2N0M0 renal masses. All the patients with a minimum follow-up < 1 month were excluded from the analysis. The trifecta rate defined surgical quality. Any worsening from chronic kidney disease (CKD) I-II to ≧ IIIa (from IIIa to ≧ IIIb, and from IIIb to ≧ IV) was considered as significant stage migration (sCKDsm). A 1:1 propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis minimized baseline imbalances between SL and RR cohorts in terms of age, gender, ASA score, baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), tumor size, and RENAL score. Logistic regression analyses identified predictors of trifecta achievement. Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis assessed the impact of RR on significant chronic kidney disease sCKDsm-free survival (SMFS), while Cox regression analyses identified its predictors. Overall, 531 patients were included, with a median tumor size of 3.5 cm (IQR: 2.7–5); 70 (13%) presented with a cT2 mass. An SL approach was pursued in 180 cases, but 10 needed conversion to RR. After PSM analysis, patients receiving SL showed a higher trifecta rate (94% vs. 84%; p = 0.007). SMFS probabilities were comparable at KM analysis (log-rank = 0.69). Age (OR: 0.97; 95%CI: 0.95–0.99; p = 0.01), a RENAL score ≧ 10 (OR: 0.29; 95%CI: 0.15–0.57; p < 0.001), and RR (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.17–0.67; p = 0.002) were independent predictors of trifecta achievement. Age (OR: 1.04; 95%CI: 1.003–1.07; p = 0.03) and baseline eGFR (OR: 0.99; 95%CI: 0.97–0.99; p = 0.05) independently predicted sCKDsm. Compared to RR, our experience seems to show that the SL approach significantly increased the probabilities of achieving the trifecta in the observed group of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nephron-sparing surgery represents the gold standard treatment for organ-confined renal tumors. We present 15-years of outcomes after off-clamp laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (ocLPN). Methods: a retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent ocLPN between May 2001 and December 2005. Baseline demographic, clinical, pathologic, surgical, functional and survival data were collected. The Kaplan–Meier method evaluated group-specific oncologic outcomes at 5, 10 and 15 years and the log rank test assessed differences between groups. The same analysis investigated the probabilities of developing a significant renal function impairment (sRFI) and achieving ROMeS. Cox analyses identified predictors of this latter tricomposite outcome. Results: We included 63 patients whose median tumor size was 3 cm (IQR:2–4). At 15 years, the chances of developing local recurrence, metachronous renal cancers or distant metastases were 2 ± 2%, 23 ± 6% and 17 ± 5%, respectively. Consequently, disease-free, cancer-specific and overall-survival probabilities were 68 ± 6%, 90 ± 4% and 72 ± 6%. MCRSS and UCISS well predicted oncologic outcomes. Overall, nine (14%) patients experienced an sRFI and 33 (52%) achieved ROMeS. Age (HR: 1.046; p = 0.033) and malignant histology (low-risk cancers HR: 3.233, p = 0.048) (intermediate/high risk cancers HR: 5.721, p = 0.023) were independent predictors of ROMeS non-achievement. Conclusions: At 15 years from ocLPN, most of patients will experience both excellent functional and oncologic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is now recognized as the main inflammatory condition that leads to fibrosis, unlike other chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, such as celiac disease. The aim of our study is to characterize the collagen deposition and cytokine expression involved in the fibrogenic response in patients affected by EoE in comparison to celiac disease. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of untreated EoE or active celiac disease were enrolled. In the control group, patients with negative upper endoscopy were included. Total RNA was isolated from biopsy specimens using a commercial kit (SV Total RNA Isolation System, Promega Italia Srl). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed in triplicate using a StepOne™ Real-Time PCR instrument (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Monza, Italy). mRNA encoding for inflammatory molecules: interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 5 (IL-5), interleukin 13 (IL-13), and fibrotic markers: transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (MAP3K7), serpin family E member 1 (SERPINE1), were quantified using TaqMan Gene Expression Assays (Applied Biosystems). RESULTS. In EoE, the qPCR analysis showed an increase in all the inflammatory cytokines. Both IL-5 and Il-3 mRNA expression resulted in a statistically significant increase in oesophageal mucosa with respect to the celiac duodenum, while no differences were present in IL-4 expression. TGF-β expression was similar to the controls in the mid esophagus but reduced in the distal EoE esophagus (RQ: 0.46 ± 0.1). MAP3K7 expression was reduced in the mid esophagus (RQ: 0.59 ± 0.3) and increased in the distal esophagus (RQ: 1.75 ± 0.6). In turn, the expression of SERPINE1 was increased in both segments and was higher in the mid than in the distal esophagus (RQ: 5.25 ± 3.9, 1.92 ± 0.9, respectively). Collagen deposition was greater in the distal esophagus compared to the mid esophagus [18.1% ± 8 vs. 1.3% ± 1; p = 0.008]. Conclusions: The present study confirms the esophageal fibrotic involution involving the distal esophagus and shows that the inflammatory pathway in EoE is peculiar to this disease and different from other chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC), specific surgical conditions (a steep Trendelenburg position, prolonged pneumoperitoneum, effective myoresolution until the final stages of surgery) can seriously impair the outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and ileus and the quality of cognitive function at the awakening in two groups of patients undergoing different reversals. In this randomized trial, patients that were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA) ≤III candidates for RARC for bladder cancer were randomized into two groups: In the sugammadex (S) group, patients received 2 mg/kg of sugammadex as reversal of neuromuscolar blockade; in the neostigmine (N) group, antagonization was obtained with neostigmine 0.04 mg/kg + atropine 0.02 mg/kg. PONV was evaluated at 30 min, 6 and 24 h after anesthesia. Postoperative cognitive functions and time to resumption of intestinal transit were also investigated. A total of 109 patients were analyzed (54 in the S group and 55 in the N group). The incidence of early PONV was lower in the S group but not statistically significant (S group 25.9% vs. N group 29%; p = 0.711). The Mini-Mental State test mean value was higher in the S group vs. the N group (1 h after surgery: 29.3 (29; 30) vs. 27.6 (27; 30), p = 0.007; 4 h after surgery: 29.5 (30; 30) vs. 28.4 (28; 30), p = 0.05). We did not observe a significant decrease of the PONV after sugammadex administration versus neostigmine use. The Mini-Mental State test mean value was greater in the S group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]